The Space Group is currently going through a transition from its initial concept to one that better meets the needs of the Academy and our members. There's been tremendous progress in space-related activites in the Air Force and at the Academy since this Group was formed, and we have asked ourselves and others if this Affinity Group should continue to function. In response, we have received strong support from the Academy faculty and AOG leadership that the Space Group has and should continue to provide useful support to the Academy and to graduates.
Since there now is a lot of activity going on at USAFA to integrate space awareness in the Academy experience, this Group will continue to be a good way for graduates to keep up with these developments. We are continuing to build an effective working relationship with the Space Working Group at the Academy and will provide a needed communications channel.
We will continue to support space-related cadet activities, such as the Falconsat program and cadet clubs related to space, but we will maintain closer contact with the cadet leadership of these programs, as well as with the faculty sponsors.
We will also work with other emerging faculty initiatives. For example, a space history symposium is planned for next year. And the space doctrine and other military courses are moving from the Commandant to the Dean. In the Commandant's area we will continue to find ways to support their military training programs related to space operations.
We have found lots of support for our concept of providing mentors/advisors for faculty and cadets who want to know more about space careers, but this activity needs to be better publicized among faculty and cadets.
The Space Group has been asked to help with the establishment of the Center for Space and Defense Studies, to be hosted at the Academy, which will "provide the intellectual foundation for the integration of space policy in the overall national security policy of the United States, define the curriculum for space policy studies in higher education, and produce successive generations of Air Force officers with a vocation for space." This will be an exciting and productive opportunity for our members.
Although we will continue to function virtually, using our web site (usafaspace.tripod.com) as the primary communications medium, we will investigate other ways to work together. The web site has been a good mechanism to share information, especially the discussion forum and reference material; it's worth checking out if you haven't recently done so. There a form there for joining this Group, too.
To help make these and other Space Group activities more effective, we will look for opportunities to hold more face-to-face Group meetings, probably in Colorado Springs. We have many members of the Group in the local area, drawing on the Air Force Space Command cadre and others there with space experience and interests.
We are also examining the Group's leadership positions and structure, to help improve the effectiveness of our internal management.
Overall, we are turning a new page in the activities of this Affinity Group. With new leadership in key Academy positions, we are certain that the future will offer productive opportunities to continue to support the Wing and the graduate community.
Stan Rosen '69